Edinburgh Airport says accessibility assistance has improved
In a report issued today the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) declared that Edinburgh Airport 'needs improvement' in the way it offers assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. But the airport has replied that significant improvement has already been made.
Edinburgh joins a list of three airports in this category along with London Heathrow and Glasgow Prestwick.
The CAA said that last year 5.5 million passengers requested assistance at UK airports, approximately 1.9 percent of total passengers. This has increased from 0.94 percent in 2010, 1.35 percent in 2019 and 1.69 percent in 2023 when 4.6 million passengers requested assistance.
The organisation sets out why Edinburgh fell short: 'Edinburgh – did not meet the standards for the provision of assistance in a timely manner, primarily due to operational issues caused by a change of contractor for its service provider earlier in the year, which now appears to be resolved.'
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said:'As the CAA's report states, this rating was given to the airport during a particularly challenging time for our Passengers with Reduced Mobility operation, due to a change of provider, staff shortages, and a surge in demand for the service.
'We have increased our investment in the service to more than £6 million and have worked closely with our provider to implement new and improved processes and oversight. These efforts have led to significant improvements, and our goal remains to return to and maintain a Good or Very Good rating.'
Selina Chadha, Group Director for Consumers and Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: 'We want disabled passengers and those with limited mobility to be confident when travelling through UK airports. Our mission is to protect people and enable aerospace and we believe that entire industry should be behind the goal of making aviation accessible to all.
'It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve.'
The CAA launched the Airport Accessibility Framework in 2014, clearly setting out a key set of standards for airports. This initiative has facilitated significant improvement in airport accessibility, including millions of pounds of investment in improved service and facilities in airports across the UK.
Edinburgh Airport
Picture Alan Simpson
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